The Ultimate Boating with Your Pet Quiz

Taking a boat trip with your pet can be quite an experience. With the right preparation, a cruise can be lots of fun for both of you. Take this quiz to learn more about preparing for a boat trip with your pet.

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Question 1 of 20

What feature of the Portuguese water dog helps it to swim?

webbed feet

Portuguese water dogs have webbed feet.

lots of body fat

large lungs

Question 2 of 20

Why have cats traditionally been taken on long voyages?

They make good travel companions.

They kill mice and rats on board.

For centuries cats have been brought on long voyages in order to keep rat and mouse populations under control on the ship.

They are good at catching fish.

Question 3 of 20

Taking your pet on a boat trip:

requires no preparation.

requires minimal preparation.

requires a lot of preparation.

Taking your pet on a boat trip requires a lot of preparation. You will need equipment and supplies, and you will need to spend time adjusting your pet to the boat and to water.

Question 4 of 20

What sort of litter should you get for your cat's litter box?

non-clumping litter

clumping litter

Use clumping litter in the litter box, as it will make less of a mess in choppy waters.

cat crystals

Question 5 of 20

What is a dog toilet?

a box with saw dust in it

a patch of synthetic grass

You may want to take a dog toilet with you on your boat trip. This is a small patch of synthetic grass which has an absorbent, anti-microbial base.

a bowel with water in it

Question 6 of 20

Which of the following will you need to have a good supply of when going on a boating trip with your dog?

towels

plastic bags

both of the above

Keep a good supply of towels on the boat to dry off your dog after a swim. This will help you to avoid cold, smelly nights if your dog likes to snuggle up with you. Also, keep plastic bags on the boat to avoid having the literal meaning of a poop deck.

Question 7 of 20

When should you start acclimatizing your pet to the boat?

the morning of the trip

days before the trip

weeks before the trip

It will take your dog some time to get used to the boat and the feel of the water. Start taking your dog for visits to the boat weeks in advance of the trip. Keep the dog on the leash and let it sniff around and explore.

Question 8 of 20

What sizes do dog flotation devices come in?

size according to breed

It is important to get the right size flotation device for your pet. A big one will slip off and a small one will restrict your pet's movement. Sizes vary according to breed or you can get size-specific devices.

A PFD protects against hypothermia should your pet get stuck in cold water for a long period.

Question 10 of 20

What should a PFD come with?

handles that sit between the pet's shoulder blades

All PFD's should have a handle on the back that rests between your pet's shoulder blades. This is to enable you to pull your pet out of the water should the need arise. It is a good idea to practice this maneuver before your boating trip so that your pet won't panic if you need to use it.

a safety whistle

an inflation string

Question 11 of 20

What do you need to do before pulling your pet out of the water?

Make sure it is not too windy.

Make sure you are not standing near edge of the boat.

Make sure you are wearing a life jacket.

There have been incidences where pet owners have drowned trying to save their pet. Ensure you are wearing your own life vest before attempting to save your dog.

Question 12 of 20

Which of the following dogs are likely to be better swimmers?

lean dogs

fat dogs

Fat is more buoyant than muscles, so leaner dogs may struggle more than fatter dogs in water. Short-legged dogs may struggle to keep up with the boat in the strong currents of open water.

short-legged dogs.

Question 13 of 20

When you first get onto the boat, in what position should you have your dog?

leashed with the leash in your hand

Some dogs want to jump straight into the water, but this can be a safety hazard as you depart from the dock. Have your dog securely leashed with the end of the leash in your hand, showing your dog that you are in control. You can later reward your dog with a swim when you are out on the water.

leashed with the leash tied to the boat

unleashed

Question 14 of 20

How can you help your dog to get out of the water back onto the boat?

by pulling them up

by holding food as an incentive to jump up

with a dog ramp

You should pull your dog up only in an emergency. Bring a dog ladder or a dog ramp along to help your dog get back onto the boat. A dog ramp is a collapsible floating ramp that attaches to the deck and creates a slope that mimics the shoreline.

Question 15 of 20

How can you help your cat get used to the motion of a boat?

Create a confined space on deck.

Create a confined space low in the center of the boat.

Creating a confined space with several blankets low down in the center of the boat can help your cat get used to the motion. Try to use the cat's favorite blankets and throw some catnip or kitty treats in to help it feel comfortable.

Create a confined space low in the front of the boat.

Question 16 of 20

What is a crucial piece of equipment to bring along if you are taking a cat on a boat trip?

catnip

cat toys

a scratching post

If you don't want your cat to claw at the ropes of the boat or at the boat furniture, make sure you bring along a scratching post. Tie it down firmly or else your cat won't use it, since cats like resistance in their scratching posts.

Question 17 of 20

How can you help your cat out of the water?

Use a strip of carpet.

If your cat is strong and has good front claws, draping a strip of carpet or fishnet can act as a ladder that your cat can climb up onto to get back into the boat.

Use a string.

Pull them out.

Question 18 of 20

Why might you bring protective paw shoes along for you pet on a boat trip?

so your pet won't slip on the deck

so your pet won't burn their feet on the deck

The deck can get very hot and your pet might burn its paw pads on it.

so that your pet won't scratch the deck

Question 19 of 20

Why should you never tie your pet to the boat?

They won't be able to swim to safety if the boat turns over.

There are times when you will need to confine your pet while on your boat. However, you should never tie it to the boat in case you encounter rough water and the boat overturns. Your pet will be tied down and unable to swim to safety. Instead, use a harness or carrier.

They might break off the railing.

It is cruel to tie your pet down.

Question 20 of 20

What should you keep out of your pet's reach?

ropes

fishing gear

Pets can get hooked on your fishing gear, so make sure to keep it contained and out of their reach. If they do get hooked, try to stabilize the hook's weight and get to a vet as quick as possible. Do not attempt to remove the hook yourself.